Joint-breaking device for carriage-tops.



No. 739,391. PATENTED SEPT. 2.2, 1903.l

l n.A; GOLLEN. JOINT BREAKING DEVICE EOE CARRIAGE TOPS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17,1902. I

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' Joint-Breaking Devices for Carriage -Tops,

' specification, in which- Patented Septenrgbe'rh22J1903.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. COLLEN, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CLAUDE DECKER, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

JOINT-BREAKING DEVICE FOR CARRIAGE-TOPS.

sPEcrr-'IcArroN forming part of Letters Patent No'. 739,391, dated september 22, 1903.

Application iiled February 17, 1902. Serial No. 94.430. (No model.) I

To a/ZZ whom it may con/ecrit:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. COLLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan,have invented a certain new and usefullmprovement in Braceof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bracejointbreaking devicesA forcarriagetops.

Much difficulty is experienced when the storm or side curtains ofa top are in position on the same in breaking the joint of the braces of the top, so that the same may be collapsed or lowered, it often being quite impossible to do so unless the operator is out of the carriage.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved device for breaking joints inthe braces of carriage-tops which may be oper.- ated by a person in the carriage and accomplish the objects in an effective manner and still be simple and inconspicuous.

A further object is to provide a device for the purpose which may be attached` to practically any carriage-top without special adaptation for the particular structure on which it is to be used. y

Further objects will'd'efinitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish Vthe objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification Vand clearly pointed out in the claims. I

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a carriage-top with a structure embodying the features of my invention in position on the same. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to lline 2 2 of Fig.. l. Fig.

- 3 is a detail sectional view taken o n a line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is aside elevation, View of the butt-end of the operating-lever F.

In the drawings, the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows atthe en ds of the sectional lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

`Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents a clip adapted to be secured upon the bow of the carriage-top, as tt. To one side of the clip' A is a lu'g or projection 5 5 A', adapted to receive the bolt or shaft D through the same. The shaft D is preferably threaded into this bearing, as that serves as an effective antirattle construction. On the outer end of the shaft D are levers or arms 6o E E', suitably'shaped so that the outer end of the arm E will engage the jointed brace B and Athe outer end of the arm E will engageA the jointed brace C. `On the inner end of the shaft D is a hand-lever F, which is inside of the carriage-top in convenient reach of a person in the carriage. An upward movement of the lever F will break the joint of the braceB and permit the forward portion of the top to be collapsed, and a downward motion 7o of the same lever will break the jointof the brace C and permit the top to be lowered, as may be desired.

I have illustrated and described my improved brace-joint-breaking device for carriage-tops inthe form I believe to be the most simple. I am aware, however, that it is capable Y of considerable structural variation withoutdeparting from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what 8o I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is' j 1. In a rdevice of the class described, the

combination of a supporting-clip A, adapted to be secured on a bow of va carriage-topya screw-'threaded bearing carried thereby; a screw-threaded shaft D; arms on the outer end thereof adapted to engage the braces of a carriage-top; and a suitable handpiece on the inner end of said shaft, for the purpose 9o specified. v I 2. In a device of the class described, the combinationv of a screw-threaded bearing; means for securing the same to a bow of a carriage-top; a screw-threaded shaft supported thereby; an arm on the outer end of the said shaft adapted to engage a brace of the carriage-top; and a suitable handpiece on the inner end of said shaft, for the purpose specified. l v Vroo In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. COLLEN. [L. S. lWitnesses:

IRENE ADAMS, OTIs A. EARL. 

